Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Incident 5 Years Ago
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"Haa. Of all things, the car had to break down."
Se-hwa let out a sigh.
This remote rural village was so isolated that without a car, free movement was impossible.
But I was different.
The weak couldn't get around, but someone sturdy like me could easily cross nearby villages on foot with just two legs.
"Should I go scout around on my own?"
"Huh? You can do that?"
"Of course. It's actually faster to move on foot than driving. Honestly, if it weren't for you, Se-hwa, I wouldn't have bothered with the car at all."
"Hmm, what to do."
Se-hwa gripped the steering wheel, lost in thought for a moment.
A secluded rural village. A passenger car that suddenly wouldn't start.
"I think it's better if we stick together. Might just be paranoia, but something feels scary."
"Got it. Then let's search around the village more."
In the end, Se-hwa decided not to let me go off alone and to stay together.
The anomaly search would take a bit longer, but nothing was urgent, so it was fine.
"First things first, I need to call the rental company."
Se-hwa got out of the car and called the rental agency.
She discussed the broken-down car during the call.
"Since it wasn't an accident, they said they'd come check it out themselves. Too late today, so tomorrow. And they'll replace it with a new car too."
"So we can resume searching tomorrow."
"Lucky it's not my car. If it broke down in a place like this, it'd be a total headache."
Because of the breakdown, the evening search was canceled.
We grabbed a simple meal at a nearby restaurant and returned to our lodging.
I lay on the cozy bed, enjoying a moment of relaxation.
"The sun's completely set outside. It's so dark now that it's like the countryside—unbelievably so. Hard to get used to."
Se-hwa peered out the window and said.
The lab was always lit 24/7.
So the darkness blanketing the village beyond the window felt strangely novel.
"No outdoor searching tonight like this. Maybe it was smart not to drive out."
Se-hwa drew the curtains and returned to bed, picking up her smartphone and pamphlet.
It was the pamphlet from the lodging owner, featuring the Kuisukaus Festival on the front.
"I'll look up the festival online. Want to check the pamphlet, Seo-hwa?"
"Sure. Perfect timing since I had nothing else to do."
Se-hwa handed me the pamphlet and started fiddling with her smartphone.
I opened the pamphlet and read.
Kuisukaus Festival.
The village's traditional annual event where they share alcohol and meat, praying for a safe year.
Official records began 150 years ago, but elder testimonies and evidence suggest it dates back much further.
Recent studies trace its origins to the late Middle Ages, about 600 years ago.
"Especially at the end, they light a bonfire, and villagers circle it, singing joyfully to close the festival."
Se-hwa read aloud from her smartphone screen.
I finished reading the pamphlet and set it down.
"Starts in two days. Lasts two days. Hmm, looks like just a normal village festival on the surface."
Se-hwa scrolled up and down on her phone, reading more.
Then she suddenly stopped.
She read slowly aloud.
"The Kuisukaus Festival was halted for five years due to an anomaly incident in the village. This year's revival is highly anticipated by the locals."
After reading it all, Se-hwa fell silent.
Unable to hold back my curiosity, I asked first.
"The festival was stopped because of an anomaly incident?"
"Yeah, seems so."
"Does it say what happened?"
"Let me check now."
Se-hwa busily tapped away, searching for info.
A moment later, she spoke with a disappointed look.
"No matter where I look, there's no info. Few articles, and the ones there are just vaguely call it an 'anomaly incident.'"
"Is that normal?"
"Hmm, possible for a small-scale event. But canceling a village festival for five years? Hard to believe it was minor."
Se-hwa let out a small sigh.
A village festival canceled due to an anomaly and now reviving.
Seemed ordinary, but something felt off.
"I should ask the lab to look into it."
After the call with the lab, Se-hwa lay back on the bed.
"Rental company's coming tomorrow, and the lab said info by tomorrow too. Nothing more to do today. Time to sleep."
Night deepened.
Time for bed, so I turned off the light.
The lodging had only one large double bed, so I slipped in beside Se-hwa.
Having walked the village all day, Se-hwa seemed exhausted.
The quiet room filled with our breathing.
"This situation feels just like a horror movie—like someone's watching us."
Se-hwa murmured softly to herself.
Her hazy eyes looked drowsy, on the verge of sleep.
"Scared? You face anomalies all the time. Surprised you're spooked by this."
"It's not anomalies. Feels like a slasher might pop out. Rural village, festival, car breaks down right on cue. Total cliché."
Her languid voice seemed ready to drift off any second.
Listening made me sleepy too.
"It's fine. I'm strong, so no killer could beat me, no matter how tough."
"Haha. So Seo-hwa's protecting me?"
"Stick by my side, and I'll keep you safe."
"Thanks. Then I'll rely on you, Seo-hwa."
With that, Se-hwa and I fell asleep.
The next morning.
I woke to the chirping of diligent early birds.
Se-hwa was already up and ready to head out.
"Awake? Wanna start searching right away?"
"Sure."
We quickly got ready and stepped outside together.
The morning chill made Se-hwa bundle up her collar.
"Brr, cold. Where to first?"
"The corners we missed yesterday."
The village wasn't large; generously, a day to cover it all.
We roamed everywhere, hunting for anomalies.
By lunchtime, no anomalies or even a whiff.
We ended up at a restaurant for lunch and a break.
"The lab finally got back to me."
Se-hwa said, staring at her smartphone.
She read through intently.
"Unidentified anomaly during Kuisukaus Festival. Nine people enjoying the festival went missing because of it. Estimated during the bonfire event on the second day. Anomaly still at large."
After reading it all, Se-hwa pondered in silence.
An anomaly that appeared at the festival, made nine vanish, then disappeared.
Was that our tool?
"Nine isn't a small number. An anomaly at a festival would've drawn eyes. Weird no detailed articles. Reporters wouldn't ignore this."
Se-hwa stayed calm and continued.
"Victims included locals and tourists there for the festival."
Her expression grew serious.
After much thought, she stood decisively.
"I need to ask the villagers about the incident five years ago. If nothing to hide, they'll share."
"Pretty bold this time."
Yesterday she was horror-movie scared; today, fearless.
Where'd the confidence come from?
"What if they try something on you?"
"Hmm, then..."
Se-hwa pondered deeply.
Then she brushed it off and spoke brightly.
"Then you protect me, Seo-hwa!"
She smiled radiantly at me, without a trace of doubt.
"Got it. I'll keep you safe, Se-hwa."
Anomaly or killer, didn't matter.
I was the strongest anyway.